James Kelley Williams

Background

Williams, James Kelley was born on March 29, 1934 in Bentonia, Mississippi, United States. Son of James C. and Katheryn (Kelley) Williams.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1956. Master of Business Administration, Harvard University, 1962.

Career

Assistant to president, Tyrone Hydraulics, Corinth, Mississippi, 1962-1967; manager corporation planning and development, First Mississippi Corporation, Jackson, 1967-1969; vice president, First Mississippi Corporation, Jackson, 1969-1971; president, Chief Executive Officer, First Mississippi Corporation, Jackson, 1971-1988; chairman, president, Chief Executive Officer, First Mississippi Corporation, Jackson, since 1988; also chairman of the executive committee, board directors, First Mississippi Corporation, Jackson chairman, B.C. Rogers Poultry, Inc., Morton, Mississippi, since 1981. Member of advisory county Degussa Corporation. Director Deposit Guaranty Corporation, Deposit Guaranty National Bank.

Achievements

• James Kelley Williams has been listed as a noteworthy Diversified resources company executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Directors Mississippi Economic Council, Committee for Economic Development, Washington. Deacon Northminster Baptist Church. Trustee Mississippi Foundation Indiana Colleges, Nature Conservancy.

Chairman Institute of Technology Development for Mississippi With United States Army Reserve, 1957-1960. Member Fertilizer Institute, Chief Executives Organization, Manufacturing Chemists Association, Agribus Promotion Council, World Business Council, Hundred of Jackson. Clubs: Jackson Country, River Hills, Hundred of Jackson.

Connections

Married Jean Pittman, June 16, 1956. Children: James Kelley Junior, George P., Clifford C.